flowering rose

What's the weather like in your area?

Thawing here the other side of Severn,very cold wind and lots of black ice.just putting the sledge away.

Why are blackbirds digging the garden

They are just looking for something tasty to eat,annoying but that's the joy of wildlife,and they will eat all those pesky snails and slugs.

Veg plot planner

call me old fashion but I believe 4rly rotation of crops ,remember that  at school, and good compost , as said above dont start of with difficult easy is what you need to do,find out from those who live near you what grows best for them,I gather being on a farm you might have access to a good manure supply.Being in Wales you are most likely exposed to the elements and so must consider that and defence from Rabbit and the like.Most of all enjoy what you do,there will be times you fail and a lot to learn.

Talkback: Garden birds in the snow

I have had a few visitors a gold crest,the blackbirds are back and in a tree all on his own ,a field fare making that clacking noise.Plenty of foot prints in the snow of birds,foxes ,rodents e.t.c.and during the day light the foxes have been out and about,they normally keep a low profile.The Badgers don't make it this far when its snowing so they have not plowed through the fence for awhile.The robin sings his heart out on top the hawthorn and only hope spring is going soon.

down at thefrozen pond

True,do you remember when they caught or had a very nasty virus,a lot of the frogs died and toads ,not only in my garden but others around too,it took years for them to become plentiful again.

on their way to garden near you!

I saw in the pyracantha ,a little bird very much like a fire crest,very small and rounded,not a gold finch ,haven't seen it since.I love to watch jays and flocks of red wings and field fares,one year I had bush laden with them pinching the berries.

Lemon tree

prune only when necessary and not to harshly is my advice.

Monty Don's French Gardens

hope its as good as the Italian one!

Shrub

a flowering red currant does well almost anywhere and can look lovely in spring,plenty of straw and manure at the right time will have blooming well,goes well with forsythia.

Favourite allotment food recipes

made Quiche with Stilton and mature chedder ,tomatoes,onion,mushrooms and 3 eggs plus semi -skimmed milk in a pastry case,(and salt and pepper) lovely hot or cold .Lovely time of year for soups and I like roasted veg,home cooking is the best and cheaper .

breathing life into faded plastic chairs.

Talkback: Plant diseases and busy Lizzies

is re-cyling your green bin ,a good thing?

The weather

Talkback: Edible dahlia tubers

Talkback: Orange ladybirds

squirrel shot for coming to the table.

down at thefrozen pond

what you find when out walking

new years resolution

wildlife in the city

Ford Abbey near Yeovil

Talkback: Hedgehog rescue

slugs in the kitchen

christmas tree